There's some recent SF touching on the subject; e.g.: "Proposition 23" by Efe Tobunko. Basically, the populace becomes dependent on such governmental support, a

There's some recent SF touching on the subject; e.g.: "Proposition 23" by Efe Tobunko. Basically, the populace becomes dependent on such governmental support, and the threat of its withdrawal is used to stifle dissent and ensure conformity.